SMYRNA, TN (WGNS) - The Town of Smyrna kept its heartfelt tradition alive Friday night as residents gathered for the annual Top Gun Run, a uniquely Smyrna way of honoring the victims and first responders of September 11, 2001. Under perfect late‑summer temperatures, families, runners and longtime supporters lined up at the Smyrna Event Center, waving flags and sharing quiet moments of reflection before the run began.

This year’s event carried special weight, marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The tribute has grown into a signature part of Smyrna’s community calendar, blending fitness, fellowship and remembrance in a way that feels both solemn and uplifting. The run follows a symbolic route, beginning at the Event Center and continuing to the Capt. Jeff Kuss Memorial, tying together national sacrifice with a deeply local story of service.

Capt. Jeff Kuss, a U.S. Marine Corps Blue Angel, was killed during a practice flight for the Great American Air Show in 2016. His aircraft went down near the historic Sam Davis Home, and Smyrna has honored his legacy ever since. Ending the run at his memorial adds a layer of hometown meaning that resonates with participants year after year.

The Top Gun Night Run itself began several years ago as part of Smyrna’s broader Top Gun Night, a community fitness and safety initiative connected to the Smyrna Police Department and the Kuss Memorial. What started as a nighttime 5K and 1‑mile event has evolved into a moment of collective remembrance—one that brings neighbors together to honor courage, loss and resilience.

Friday night’s run wasn’t just about miles. It was about memory. And as the crowd moved toward the memorial, flags waving in the warm air, Smyrna once again showed how a small town can carry big meaning.